OUR TEAM
Our team possesses a wide range of experience, knowledge and skills.
Having come from all walks of life, the members of the ATT team, including full- and part-time volunteers and members, have each made the choice to dedicate themselves to the cause of Animal Freedom.
Meet Mark
He was a co-founder of Animal Rebellion and previously organised the UK’s Animal Rights Gathering (2017 & 2018).
Professionally Mark worked as a management consultant and group facilitator specialising in risk mitigation, strategic decision making and project impact. He has worked for many national and international organisations, including HMRC, British Sugar, the NHS, Ministry of HE Indonesia, Ministry of Trade Sweden, and U.K. Ministry Of Defence. He was a lecturer in this area at Lancaster University Management School at BSc, MSc and MBA levels between 2001 and 2018. He is a trainer in Systems Thinking and Group Facilitation for his professional body, The Operational Research Society. He has twice been awarded teaching prizes for his work incorporating diversity into the university syllabus. He has postgraduate training as a Group Analyst (Psychoanalysis).
Mark was a founder and director of the multi-award-winning Lancaster Cohousing; and co-founder and director of the UK Cohousing Network 2006-2015, and chair 2013-2015. In his spare time he enjoys fell running; foraging; cooking; and generally being outdoors.
Mark Westcombe
Founder & Director
Mark is the founder Animal Think Tank. As the director he is responsible for building and resourcing Animal Think Tank’s organisational capacity and steering the delivery of organisational strategy and mission.
Meet Natalie
After being involved with Extinction Rebellion in 2019 and witnessing first-hand the power of people standing up together to change the national conversation, Natalie went on to lead Animal Rebellion’s social media team later that year. It was here that she learned more about the role of storytelling in strategic campaigning.
Before joining Animal Think Tank full-time, Natalie worked in entertainment media (PR, journalism and book publishing), and is also a published novelist. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, exploring new places and being in nature with her favourite person, Hattie.
Natalie Braine
Narrative Lead
Natalie is our Narrative Lead. Her work is focused on uncovering the values, metaphors, frames and narratives that will most persuade different demographics that Animal Freedom is an urgent social issue. She gathers hope and inspiration from other movements and campaigns that have helped change the narrative, and in turn changed society for the better.
Meet Rob
Rob gained his PhD in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bristol. His past research investigated the mental processes which support our ability to remember, think, and make decisions.
Rob became interested in Animal Freedom activism in 2022 where he began volunteering with his local animal rights group to reach out to the local community and encourage veganism. He has also volunteered with Animal Rebellion on their “Stop the supply” and “Feed our future” campaigns.
In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, gardening, video games, and playing chess. He lives at home with his wife, his son, and their rescued hedgehog.
Robert Udale
Quantitative Public Research and Testing
Rob is our Quantitative Researcher. His role is to conduct research to determine the messages, frames, metaphors, and narratives which most persuade people to support Animal Freedom. He hopes that one day this research will help to shape the conversation at a societal level about Animal Freedom.
Meet Helen
Before joining Animal Think Tank Helen worked in Youth Voice and Influence at a national charity, leading qualitative research and participation to ensure young people’s voices were amplified and influential. Inspired by the Vegan Leaders Playbook, Helen established the charity’s first Vegan Network.
Helen lives with Matsa (also pictured), together they enjoy exploring the muddiest parts of the countryside and sniffing out great vegan food. Helen also volunteers for Animal Aid as a school speaker.
Helen Maitland
Qualitative Public Research and Testing
Helen is our Qualitative Researcher. She leads focus group discussions and interviews with members of the public to determine the most persuasive messages, values, frames, metaphors and narratives that can help build public support for Animal Freedom.
Meet Hattie
At Animal Think Tank, she reminds the team about the need for regular stretches, breaks and the importance of sharing snacks. Hattie loves exploring new places, squirrel-watching and belly rubs. She’s looking forward to more animals joining the team.
Hattie
Wellbeing Extraordinaire
Hattie came to the UK in 2017, after living on the streets in Romania. Despite her traumatic start in life, she continues to see the best in all human animals.
Lottie
Kinship Collaborator
Lottie joined the team in January 2023. She loves food in any form it comes, chewing bag straps and running in the woods. As a survivor of abuse, she is rediscovering her kinship with human animals. She helps remind the team that when someone is allowed to be themselves, they can truly thrive. She also reminds them that the comfy yellow chairs belong to her and Hattie.
And thanks to changemakers:
Logo design: Lorenzo Jacopo Sciuca
Website rebrand: MAD Ideas
Photography: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals plus others as credited
Thanks to our diverse and courageous supporters, whose collective action is helping to create the future for fellow animals.